Another slow first-quarter start left Jackson County with a bit too much ground to make up in dropping its third-straight game.

The Panthers fell to Madison County 65-58 Saturday on the road in non-region action after being outscored 22-12 in the opening period. The Red Raiders hit five three-pointers in the first quarter to build a double-digit lead.

“Our intensity wasn’t up and therefore we gave them too many open looks to start the game .. From there on we were battling all night to get back into the game,” coach Chuck Butler said. “I was proud that we did, but we should have never been in that position in the first place.”

Jackson County trailed 33-26 at the half and 49-42 after three quarters.

Butler said the key stat of the night came at the free-throw line where the Panthers shot just 13-for-27.

“We are just in a little bit of a slump from the line right now,” Butler said, noting that his team lost to Elbert County the previous night after going 12-for-27 from the foul line. “Once we correct that I think the wins will take care of themselves. The guys will get it corrected, though. I have faith in them and they’ll respond.”

The Panthers, who cut a 17-point halftime deficit to two points in the fourth quarter, suffered their second-straight region loss with the 74-66 setback.
Joel Ellis scored 23 points to lead the Panthers, who fell to 2-2 in region play. Preston Giroux added 18 points.

Jackson County trailed 47-30 at the half but made up ground in the third quarter. A traditional three-point play from Ellis cut the Blue Devils’ lead to 50-42 with 30 seconds to play in the third period. Malique Wade then fed Christian Smith for a layup with a behind-the-back pass in the closing seconds to pull the Panthers within six, 50-44, heading into the final period.

The Panthers then fought back from an 11-point fourth quarter deficit with a 15-6 run. Smith drained a three-pointer from the top of the key with 1:36 left in the game to cut the lead to 64-60, and Ellis added a pair of free throws moments later to pull the Panthers within two.

But Elbert County responded late at the free throw line when Jackson County was forced to foul, hitting six in a row at one point to help seal the win.

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